Council support services manager Gerard Collings said construction of the council chamber, which had a tender price of $615,000, was on schedule with the goal of it being completed in April. Wall frames went up this week and the steel work was expected to go in next week.

As well as housing the council during meetings, it would also double as the region's civil defence headquarters and a public meeting venue. Previously those services had been undertaken in the council chamber on the top floor of the existing Stafford St office block, which was now being used as office space. In the meantime the council was meeting at the Salvation Army premises.